What is the NCCD?

The National Consistent Collection of Data of School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a collection of data in August each year. It counts the number of school students receiving adjustments (or support) because of a disability. 

The national data collection helps governments and schools plan for the needs of students with a disability. The aim of the data collection is to make sure that students with a disability have access to the same quality education as the others in their class. 

Who is included in the NCCD?

To include a student in the NCCD, all schools are required to consider the following key questions:

1. Is the student receiving adjustments to assist them with their ability to participate in schooling on the same basis as their peers?
2. Does the student meet the NCCD's broad definition of disability?
3. Has the school discussed the adjustments with the students and/or parent/carer?
4. Does the school have documentation (assessments, medical reports or other paperwork) about the students functional needs, the adjustments (help) that they provided and how the student progressed over time?

What about NCCD Data & Privacy?

All schools must complete the NCCD. Legislation requires that every year, each school must complete the following information for each student receiving an adjustment due to disability:

How is 'disability' defined for the NCCD?

The definition of disability used for the annual NCCD, is based on the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and there are four broad categories:

• sensory (eg. vision/hearing impairment);
• cognitive;
• social-emotional, and;
• physical

The definition of disability is very broad and many students that need help at school can be counted in the NCCD. Students with learning disorders, ADHD or auditory processing disorder, chronic health conditions, physical disabilities, vision/hearing impairment and social-emotional disorders may be included in the NCCD data count if they are receiving reasonable adjustments to help them access and engage in school on the same basis as their peers.

A formal diagnosis by a specialist may be very helpful for the school but is not the only piece of evidence schools can use for the NCCD. The NCCD count is based on professional teacher judgement. Schools can consider school based and external documents to decide if a students can be counted. 

What is an 'adjustment' for NCCD?

Students need different types of help at school. Some students need a little help sometimes (minor adjustments) but other students need a lot of help nearly all the time (extensive adjustments). The type of help and support that a school provides is also very different depending on the needs of the student.

The adjustments can include:

• physical changes to the school buildings or grounds;
• extra teacher support in classes;
• special learning programs;
• changes to the way the curriculum is presented or delivered, or;
• extra adult assistance

If you have any questions about the NCCD please do not hesitate to contact me at rebekah.brown@cg.catholic.edu.au

Rebekah Brown

Assistant Principal and Inclusion Coordinator